Bakersfield Mist - Duchess Theatre

Directions
(5mins) Go right on Long Acre; turn right into Bow Street and after 100 metres turn left (Russell Street) then immediately right onto Catherine Street, where the theatre is located 100 metres down.

Review Summary

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars based on 2 review(s)

Latest Review: "What a splendid play! Both actors held the audience completely. I have never seen or heard a bett..."

Kathleen turner returns to the West End in 2014 to star as Maude in the latest play by Stephen Sachs, Bakersfield Mist, which runs at the Duchess Theatre from May 2014. The story concerns the possible discovery of a Jackson Pollock painting in a thrift store and also features Ian McDiarmid of Star Wars fame in a lead role. Polly Teale directs and Nica Burns produces, meaning that this is a production that will stand out in the West End upon its opening, offering audiences a compelling piece that has the added benefit of a basis in real life.

The character of Maude, played by Turner, purchases a cheap painting at a thrift store at the beginning of Bakersfield Mist. The unemployed bartender takes it back to her trailer and instead of throwing it in the trash, which she comes very close to doing, she realises it might actually be a Jackson Pollock painting, which could make her a millionaire. She needs the help of an art expert so Lionel Percy (McDiarmid) arrives from New York and he could be in for a big shock.

The piece is the latest from Stephen Sachs, an American playwright whose work has been seen across the United States. The Co-Artistic Director of the Fountain Theatre in LA has previously created the likes of Gilgamesh, Open Window and Mother’s Day, among others, whilst also working as a successful director. So this new play from the acclaimed and talented writer will be watched with keen interest.

This interest will only be increased by the presence of Kathleen Turner, of course, who made a name for herself in the 1980s with a range of high profile movies like Romancing The Stone, alongside Michael Douglas, Peggy Sue Got Married, alongside Nicolas Cage, Body Heat, alongside William Hurt, and The War Of The Roses, directed by Danny DeVito, among others. For the stage her credits include Broadway parts in the likes of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and West End credits like Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at the Apollo Theatre (which also appeared on Broadway).

The Duchess Theatre, also the home of Not I, Footfalls and Tell Me On A Sunday in 2014, welcomes Bakersfield Mist from Tuesday 27th May 2014 (previews from Saturday 10th May 2014).